Computer allowance for dyslexic students

Yeah I really don't understand.
Everyone at uni has to use a computer, but you only get given one if you have a disablity.
The rest of us just have to buy our own or use the pc room.

Reply 6

Elitist

14

I don't understand how these people can have dyslexia.. they look like they can spell (and thus read?) perfectly well. Unless I'm missing something? Sorry if I'm being ignorant, I just don't know much about this kind of thing.

Reply 7

username81886

SavvySaviour

I don't understand how these people can have dyslexia.. they look like they can spell (and thus read?) perfectly well. Unless I'm missing something? Sorry if I'm being ignorant, I just don't know much about this kind of thing.

It's what we were all thinking....

Reply 8

shredoholic_strat

SavvySaviour

I don't understand how these people can have dyslexia.. they look like they can spell (and thus read?) perfectly well. Unless I'm missing something? Sorry if I'm being ignorant, I just don't know much about this kind of thing.

If you dont know much, I wouldn't go saying you dont see how they can have dyslexia! They are in the better position to decide or deal with that... I certainly do not want to speak for these people... My brother is dyslexic and he learnt to read and write. More difficult for him and may get more things wrong, but he learnt. Had he not learnt he could not use the english language, and same goes for you :p:

Reply 9

Laura Lou

13

jonnybrown529

Thanks everyone. I am about to be assessed and Im sure I will be assesed as having dyslexia and then go on to apply to teh DSA. I would like to ask Laura, how did you justify needing a computer, as surely these days. I mean I really do need a new one, but I dont see how being dyslexic justifies me or anyone else getting one from the DSA, as surely almost all universities, have computer rooms these days anyway. Thanks, for your help.

As I don't have dyslexia I can't tell you the exact reasons why you could be entitled to a computer. It would probably be so that you could also be given computer programs to help with your disability, rather than the fact that you need to be closer to a computer... if that makes sense. When you are assessed everything will be explained properly to you and you'll probably be advised about programs/extra hardware too.
The main reasons why I was entitled to a computer will probably be completely different to you - I'm not always well enough to leave the house and it's difficult for me to get around sometimes (e.g. to computer rooms/libraries).
Anyway, whatever the reasons, your university are obliged to help you in as many ways as possible if you have a disability so make sure you are satisfied with what they provide.
Good luck with your assessment.

Reply 10

SavvySaviour

I don't understand how these people can have dyslexia.. they look like they can spell (and thus read?) perfectly well. Unless I'm missing something? Sorry if I'm being ignorant, I just don't know much about this kind of thing.

Dyslexia is not not being able to read!!!!! Its affects people of all abilities who reach all levels of education. A dyslexic person is not the same as another dyslexic person as there are various characteristics some have, some dont and also to varying degrees. Other key things include, organisation, speed of processing, short term memory can be be bad and problems with squencing. There also good things too! Dyslexics tend to be creative in a lot of ways and lateral thinkers.

Its not just that the cant read.

Reply 11

jointhedots

16

SavvySaviour

I don't understand how these people can have dyslexia.. they look like they can spell (and thus read?) perfectly well. Unless I'm missing something? Sorry if I'm being ignorant, I just don't know much about this kind of thing.

Uhh...Spell checkers?

Reply 12

Elitist

14

XxJaninexX

Dyslexia is not not being able to read!!!!! Its affects people of all abilities who reach all levels of education. A dyslexic person is not the same as another dyslexic person as there are various characteristics some have, some dont and also to varying degrees. Other key things include, organisation, speed of processing, short term memory can be be bad and problems with squencing. There also good things too! Dyslexics tend to be creative in a lot of ways and lateral thinkers.

Its not just that the cant read.

I know they can read. My limited knowledge of dyslexia does stretch that far. I thought they had difficulties reading (to varying degrees) or spelling and in some cases (though I am unsure?) with numbers?

Organisation? Short term memory? Speed of processing? But almost everyone has some kind of fault (to varying degrees) with one of these 3 things.

Reply 13

Lexy86

SavvySaviour

Organisation? Short term memory? Speed of processing? But almost everyone has some kind of fault (to varying degrees) with one of these 3 things.

Yes, but with the rest of us, it's mostly due to our own laziness and/or unwillingness to really apply the effort certain tasks demand. Procrastination is something we have control over, but dyslexia works differently. It's not that these people don't want to understand something or don't want to be perfectly organised, it's that they have a biologically established limit and they can't push themselves any further. If non-dyslexics were to try their absolute hardest, they'd be the most organised people in the world; dyslexics simply can't overcome that natural barrier. Even if they try their absolute hardest, there are certain things they can't achieve, not because they're any less intelligent, but because their brain simply works differently. There's not much they can do to overcome it, whereas the rest of us easily can.

Reply 14

Well said Lexy.

Reply 15

Juno

20

With my sister, she had back problems. She got her computer so she could be at home in her comfy chair (also supplied) rather than being at uni in their computer room on suitable chairs. She also got that programme where you can talk and it types for you (dragon naturally speakingor something), and a dictaphone so she could record lectures and save them onto the computer.
She also couldn't write very well, so the dictaphone helped with that, and the rest of you have the possibility of hand-writing essays (even though no one ever does) which she couldn't

Reply 16

Who negged me for negging them because i cant even remember repping anyone??

Reply 17

the sand man

2

with my stuff it took 2 mounths and i hade it before i started uni because my college was very good at all that stuff it all came on the 3 day of uni i got 2.5k in equitment & software i get £250 for books,£150 for internet access and £50 for photocopying a year and if i need any other more equitment to hlep me whith my dyslexic they will give it to me

Reply 18

LFC_Girl

My flatmate has a free computer off the uni because of dyslexia. As far as I know he told them all about it before he got here and showed him his assessment which confirmed he was dyslexic. He was told which PC (and extras) he was having and it arrived just asfter freshers week.

Good luck. x

Reply 19